Creep is a living zerg superorganism. It has a purple coloration[1] and is a viscous substance[2] that feels thick and slimy.[3] Creep is psionically-sensitive and may be influenced and controlled by psionic entities.[1] It is used to nourish zerg structures, larvae,[4][5] and other strains.[6]

Contents

Creep may be deposited in a number of ways. Some zerg structures, such as hatcheries, serve as loci for creep growth.[7]Hive spores may also be used in the initial stages of infestation.[7][1] Post-Great War evolution has seen zerg creatures gain the ability to spread creep as well; overlords by direct secretion, and indirectly by queens through laid creep tumors.[8] If left unchecked, creep can consume an entire planet within days.[9]

Creep has a cellular structure.[1] Zerg ground strains can move faster over creep than normal ground due to a collection of microscopic filaments that allow them to 'skate' across creep rather than breaking through it.[2] Creep binds every zerg colony located on it; creep can be considered an organism unto itself, with zerg structures its organs.[10]

Creep spreads rapidly if left unchecked. This proliferation may be observed in real time.[3][4] Creep helps to sustain itself and other zerg organisms by processing minerals[5][4] extracted from the ground via deep tendrils.[11]

Creep may grow in anaerobic environments[1] and over water.[11] It may also grow over hollows in the terrain; attempting to traverse over such hollows may cause creep to tear and give way.[12][11]

Creep is notably averse to extremely high temperatures and will not grow in unsuitably hot places. While it may be set alight by high explosive or incendiary ordnance,[1] its remarkable regenerative properties makes complete extermination by brute force a difficult proposition. Removal may only be guaranteed by destroying the structures serving as growth loci.[7] It may be difficult to tell when creep is truly dead.[12]

Most zerg structures are effectively giant organs and draw sustenance from creep. A notable exception is the extractor. A zerg colony forms a single living creature through the interconnectivity of creep,[7] Zerg gain nourishment from the creep,[4][5] and without it resort to consuming other organisms,[13] even one another, to survive.[14]

The mutated creep proved infectious, was even able to engulf two zealots assigned to their facility, "infesting" one of them – Ruom. It became a "psionic predator", and could "impede" the Khala and cause madness among the nearby Khalai. Ruom went on a rampage, killing the other protoss.

The entire facility was frozen and abandoned. However, it was later discovered by a terran military expedition, which found the mutated creep to still be alive...[4]

Most zerg structures can only be built upon the creep. Terrans and protoss cannot build structures on creep. Terran buildings may not land on the creep, however they may lift-off. The creep will expand to fill the vacated space over the course of a few seconds.

Creep does not "climb" or "fall" down cliffs,[21] but does flow down ramps.[22] If a carefully positioned overlord drops creep on the edge of a cliff, it will expand on the hill and the lower ground simultaneously.[21] Creep can also be poured onto ramps.[23]

The creep does not "belong" to any one player; it has no affiliation. Creep is creep.[24][25][19]

Creep only dies if the nearby generator dies and it is on the edge of a patch. Creep inside a large patch, but deprived of generators, will not die. A ring-shaped patch will not automatically expand to cover the "empty" center without the normal assistance of generators.

There are several ways of creating creep. The overlord can generate creep. Creep tumors generate their own creep and make it easy to spread creep over the map. Creep can also be created by hatcheries, and when a nydus worm is created, creep is spawned around it.

↑ 5.05.15.2"Before long, the organic mat of Zerg creep spread over the charred surface of the planet. The nourishing substance offered food and energy for the various minions of the new colony." Mesta, Gabriel (July 1, 2001). StarCraft: Shadow of the Xel'Naga. Simon & Schuster (Pocket Star). ISBN 0-671-04149-5.

↑If life gives you an Overlord dumping his creep on your base, you blow up that Overlord.

Maxed out creep range from one Overlord is a little bigger than the range of a Pylon's power radius, and will take about 15 seconds to reach max range and generally recede within 30 seconds(subject to balance) after the Overlord is destroyed or stops unloading creep.Karune. 2008-09-16. How Do You Remove Enemy Creep?Battle.net StarCraft II General Discussion Forum. Accessed 2008-09-16.

↑ 21.021.1Zerg's Creep does not climb up or fall down from a cliff. However if you generate the Creep from the Overlord right at the edge of the hill, you can see the Creep expand both side of the hill and the lower ground at the same time. Cydra. 2008-12-01. So creep will go down a ramp, but (Cydra's first post). Battle.net StarCraft II General Discussion Forum. Accessed 2008-12-01.

↑Creep expands on a ramp as well, I was meaning that it doesn't fall down from the cliff or doesn't climb up the cliff from the lower ground. Cydra. 2008-12-01. So creep will go down a ramp, but (Cydra's second post). Battle.net StarCraft II General Discussion Forum. Accessed 2008-12-01.